Happily the Smithfield Club is not suffering from the lack of support which the Royal Agricultural Society is oxperiencing, and which renders it quite probable that—for a time at all events—the last of the Royal shows has been held. The cattle show which has been held in the Agricultural Hall at Islington this week has been visited by thousands daily in spite of much rain and gloom. The King came to town from Sandringham specially to visit it on the opening record capture of prizes. He failed, it day, and was rewarded by making a jis true, to take the coveted champion cup for the best beast in the show. That was won by a heifer of Lord Rosebery's, which had previously carried all before it at the Edinburgh show; but the ex-Premier not had bred her himself and thus the King was enabled to secure the next best priso—one which is often coupled with the other—that for the best beast bred by the owner. In addition his Majesty carried off the Champion Plate and the Challenge Cup for the best pen of sheep, and the Champion Plate for the best pig in the show. That most usefal section of the show, the " block test competition," grows year by year in favour; but in this his Majesty did not prove successful. This is perhaps another proof that the animal which makes the best when alive, doos not always "kill" the best.
Our Royal Visitors, Very unfortunately for the Dake of Portland and the inhabitants of the Dakeries," the Duchess of Aosta became dangerously ill on the eve of the day appointed for the arrival of the King and Queen of Portugal at Welbeck, and Queen Amélie had to hurry off to her sister's bed-side in Turin. There was a fear indeed that the entire arrangements for the Royal visit would have to be cancelled but happily the Duchess took a turn for the better, and on Tuesday King Carlos was able to keep his engagement. His Majesty's geniality and readiness to dispense with ceremony have won all hearts, and from sportsmen he has won additional respect by the further evidence he has afforded of his skill with the Tomorrow King Carlos goes off to Paris to be entertained by our neighbours, who we may be sure, will do their best to eclipse us in the warmth of their hospitality.
The World and Shakespeare.
Mr. Richard Badgers suggestion of Shakespeare Memorial in London made some months ago, and backed up with an offer of £3,500 to carry it out, has now been taken up with enthusiasm. The formation of a great new artery in central London, which has necessitated the pulling down of many acres of houses on the north side of the Strand, has naturally suggested many schemes for beautifying what should be the hand-sornest piece of modern London, and the erection of a worthy monument to the monument will be worthy of ite subject. It isnot to be merely a national but an international memorial. All the world which loves and reveres Shakespeare is to be invited to subscribe. All the great Shakespearean scholars and actors of the day as well.as mon of distinction in various walks, are serving on the Committee. Dr. Furnivall is its Ohairman, Lord Avebury the Treasurer, and Professor Gollancz the Hon. Secretary and the world of art is sufficiently represented to give a reasonable guarantee that the design selected will be of the highest artistic excellence available.
A "Free Bacon" Empire.
Mr. Chamberlain is maintaining silence on is focal proposals pending hi 'Week; and the principal orator on' the meeting at louse next:
subject this week has been Lord Roso-Ania '@ great Liberal and Free who was in his happiest vein when
Trade mooting at Glasgow. The ox-Premier is " good phrase-maker, and icularly happy was his description of it. Chamberlain's scheme a8 ''an attempt to pull up the Empire by the roots and plant it on a different footing—to substitute for a Free Food Empire a Free Bacon Empire." I think Mr. Chamberlain's sincerest admirers have always been a little puzzled by that curious insistence of Mr. Chamberlain that ough every other form of food may he taxed, bacon and maize should always be imported free. No one else has ever been able to grasp the reasons for this pocliar distinction. Mr. Chamberlain has ver, less to fear from the speeches of his opponents, than from the rise in sugar and the exuberance of the navy enthusiasts. With regard to the former we have it on the authority of a Cabinet Minister that the Sugar Convention was entered into "mainly at the instance of Mr. Chamberlain and with regard to the latter @ deputation is to wait upon Mr. Balfour to-morrow to urge that the first, and foremost question to be considered by his " con: ference must be the Colonial contribution to the Navy. I do not think this will suit Mr. Chamberlain's book at all for the Colonies certainly do not seem to be feverishly eager to pay their proportion of the cost of the navy. On the other hand Mr. Chamberlain cannot discountenance this movement without giving offence to many of his friends.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.